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Rangers Back Stonewall Scotland Rainbow Laces campaign

This year, Rangers will be showing their support for LGBT players and fans through Stonewall Scotland’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

At our match at Ibrox on Wednesday 29 November, the Club will be showing support for the LGBT community and inspiring people who follow and take part in sport to “come out” as allies.

We want sport to be everyone’s game and are proud to stand with gay, lesbian, bi and trans players and supporters everywhere.

The campaign, which also has the backing of the SPFL, aims to make sporting environments more inclusive for LGBT fans and players by raising awareness of anti-LGBT abuse. Research carried out last year found that 72 per cent of football fans have heard anti-LGBT remarks at games over the last five years, while 20 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds said they would be embarrassed if their favourite player came out as LGBT.

The Rainbow Laces campaign runs from 24 November to 3 December and Rangers stars Kenny Miller and Captain Lee Wallace are leading the way by pledging their support. Earlier this season, the Club welcomed Stonewall Scotland to The Rangers Football Centre where they gave presentations about the Rainbow Laces campaign to both the first team and Under 17s squads.

Kenny Miller commented: “It’s great to see this initiative in football and I’m delighted that SPFL clubs are getting behind the campaign. I will be wearing the laces with pride at the match against Aberdeen later this month. We want all fans to feel welcome and included at our games.”

Colin Macfarlane, Director of Stonewall Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that Rangers Football Club is supporting Rainbow Laces, and standing with LGBT fans. Many LGBT people want to take part in sport, either as players or fans, but abuse from a small minority makes many people feel unsafe. Wearing Rainbow Laces is a great way to show your support, and help make sport more inclusive for everyone.”

Rangers Charity Foundation Director Connal Cochrane, added: “We are proud that the Club is supporting Stonewall Scotland’s Rainbow Laces campaign. The Foundation strongly believes in inclusion and earlier this season along with the Club signed the Scottish LGBT Sports Charter which aims to remove the barriers to sport for LGBT people. We want everyone to feel welcome when taking part in our activities at the Foundation and when attending games at Ibrox.”

Follow Stonewall Scotland using @StoneWallScot and get involved in the conversation on Twitter via #RainbowLaces.